* Have a dead simple setup process and a minimal learning curve.* Manage machines very quickly and in parallel.* Avoid custom-agents and additional open ports, be agentless by leveraging the existing SSH daemon.* Describe infrastructure in a language that is both machine and human friendly.* Focus on security and easy auditability/review/rewriting of content.* Manage new remote machines instantly, without bootstrapping any software.* Allow module development in any dynamic language, not just Python.* Be usable as non-root.* Be the easiest IT automation system to use, ever.

Use Ansible===========

You can install a released version of Ansible via ``pip``, a package manager, orour `release repository <https://releases.ansible.com/ansible/>`_. See our`installation guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/installation_guide/intro_installation.html>`_ for details on installing Ansibleon a variety of platforms.

Power users and developers can run the ``devel`` branch, which has the latestfeatures and fixes, directly. Although it is reasonably stable, you are more likely to encounterbreaking changes when running the ``devel`` branch. We recommend getting involvedin the Ansible community if you want to run the ``devel`` branch.

Get Involved============

* Read `Community Information <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/community>`_ for all kinds of ways to contribute to and interact with the project, including mailing list information and how to submit bug reports and code to Ansible.* Join a `Working Group <https://github.com/ansible/community/wiki>`_, an organized community devoted to a specific technology domain or platform.* Submit a proposed code update through a pull request to the ``devel`` branch.* Talk to us before making larger changes to avoid duplicate efforts. This not only helps everyone know what is going on, it also helps save time and effort if we decide some changes are needed.* For a list of email lists, IRC channels and Working Groups, see the `Communication page <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/community/communication.html>`_

Branch Info===========

* The ``devel`` branch corresponds to the release actively under development.* The ``stable-2.X`` branches correspond to stable releases.* Create a branch based on ``devel`` and set up a `dev environment <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/dev_guide/developing_modules_general.html#common-environment-setup>`_ if you want to open a PR.* See the `Ansible release and maintenance <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/reference_appendices/release_and_maintenance.html>`_ page for information about active branches.

Roadmap=======

Based on team and community feedback, an initial roadmap will be published for a major or minor version (ex: 2.7, 2.8).The `Ansible Roadmap page <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/devel/roadmap/>`_ details what is planned and how to influence the roadmap.

Authors=======

Ansible was created by `Michael DeHaan <https://github.com/mpdehaan>`_and has contributions from over 4600 users (and growing). Thanks everyone!